Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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In recent years there has been a renewed interest in regional anaesthesia, particularly peripheral nerve blockade, not only to improve the patient's well being, but also to meet the requirements of modern orthopaedic surgery. Nerve injury in this context is the complication most feared by the patient, the anaesthesiologist and the surgeon. ⋯ Significant advances have been made in regional anaesthesia in the past 10 years. The introduction of catheter techniques has cleared the way for better regional anaesthetic and analgesic blocks. Studies dealing with placement of perineural catheters show that the catheter does not increase neurological complications. Properly performed, regional anaesthesia is a safe form of anaesthesia and the benefits far outweigh the risks.
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Success of plexus nerve block is most dependent upon the correct positioning of the local anaesthetic solution within proximity to the corresponding nerve trunk. With the aim of verifying the close approximation of needle and nerve, and increasing the corresponding success rate, in the course of the history of regional anaesthesia, and in addition to the classical methods like seeking of paraesthesia, different mechanical aids have been used for nerve detection. In the last two decades, important medical diagnostic and therapeutic advances in imaging technology have been presented. In this review we will analyse the role such imaging diagnostic procedures will play in regional anaesthesia practice. ⋯ In this paper we will analyse which imaging techniques are of relevance to anaesthesia in terms of clinical outcome, research and teaching of regional anaesthetic techniques, and the clinical impact of such imaging techniques upon anaesthesia practice.
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The purpose of this review is to present the most important recent studies into the clinical use of peripheral nerve blocks for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia of the lower limb surgery. ⋯ Introduction of new methods and techniques are increasing and improving the use of lower peripheral nerve blocks. These techniques are gaining interest after the important increase of the lower molecular weigh heparins.
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Neurogenic inflammation results from the release of neuropeptides from peripheral nerve terminals. This secretion can be induced by two mechanisms: activation of afferent sensory nerves (e.g. by disease processes or experimentally by electrical stimulation) or activation of receptors expressed on peripheral nerve terminals. While the role of these mechanisms in the regulation of inflammation is well described, its significance for the generation of pain is much less clear and will be examined in this review. ⋯ While considerable experimental and clinical evidence supports the existence of neurogenic inflammation, it is less clear whether this process plays an important role in the generation of pain.